Northrop Grumman mechanics perform final quality inspections on the center/aft fuselage shipset produced by the company for the first Australian EA-18G Growler. The subassembly will be delivered to The Boeing Company for final integration into a complete aircraft. (photo : Northrop Grumman)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed and delivered to The Boeing Company a major subassembly of the first of 12 EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The subassembly, also known as a shipset, comprises the Growler’s center/aft fuselage section, twin vertical tails and all associated subsystems. It is the 115th Growler shipset produced by Northrop Grumman and the first to be produced for an international customer.

“We are honored to celebrate this significant milestone with the U.S. Navy and our industry partners,” said RAAF Director General Capability Planning, Air Commodore Michael Kitcher. “I am confident that Growler will provide our air force with the most versatile and effective airborne electronic attack platform in the world.”

Including this first Growler, Northrop Grumman has delivered shipsets for 100 Australian F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, including 24 F/A-18 Super Hornets. Northrop Grumman is Boeing’s principal subcontractor on the F/A-18 Super Hornet and its Growler derivative.

“Production of the first international Growler shipset marks another important milestone in Northrop Grumman’s storied history as a volume producer of advanced aircraft systems of unmatched quality,” said John Murnane, F/A-18 program manager and director, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “Our consistent record of on-time, on-budget performance helps give Australia critical, new offensive and defensive options for its air combat operations.”

Northrop Grumman produced and integrated the RAAF Growler shipset on its F/A-18 assembly line in El Segundo, which it uses to produce major center and aft structures for both F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft. The company plans to continue producing shipsets on the line at least through August 2017.

“This significant milestone brings us one step closer to Australia becoming the first country besides the United States to receive this unique airborne electronic attack capability,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G programs vice president. “Boeing looks forward to celebrating the rollout of the first RAAF Growler this summer.”

The EA-18G Growler is a derivative of the Navy’s combat-proven, two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. Its primary mission is to detect, identify and disrupt enemy air defense radar and related communication systems.

In addition to producing the Growler shipset, Northrop Grumman produces and integrates the jet’s primary electronic warfare subsystems, and provides related software maintenance and support services.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.